The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild review

Breath of the Wild ranks first because no other game here hands you so much open space with so few instructions. Nintendo's store page explains the setup: Link wakes after a 100-year slumber with no memories and must explore a vast, dangerous Hyrule using only what he can scavenge. You climb towers to survey the land, then pick any peak on the horizon and head for it. More than 100 Shrines of Trials hide puzzles and rewards, and the Sheikah Slate map and scope help you mark points of interest. Travel is varied, with horses, rafts, shield surfing and a paraglider, and Link can use over 180 weapons, though they wear out. Cooking heals and boosts stats, and clothes protect against cold, heat and storms. The limits are clear: it needs a Nintendo Switch or Switch 2, and breaking weapons frustrate some players. For pure free exploration, it is the one to beat.

Who it is for

Switch and Switch 2 owners who want the most freedom to wander, climb and experiment from the very first hour.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Hyrule can be explored any way you like, including climbing towers and mountain peaks
• More than 100 Shrines of Trials with puzzles and in-game rewards
• Over 180 weapons that wear out over time
• Horseback, rafts, shield surfing and a paraglider for getting around
• Cooking that heals Link and boosts his stats

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Almost any mountain you can see can be climbed
• Strength: Plays on both Switch and Switch 2
• Strength: Clothing, cooking and weather add survival choices without heavy menus
• Weakness: Only runs on Nintendo hardware
• Weakness: Weapons break, so you keep replacing them
• Weakness: The game's USD price did not load as page text for our check

Key facts

• Publisher: Nintendo
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
• Shrines: More than 100
• Weapons: Over 180
• DLC: Expansion Pass bundle

Where it ranks

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is No. 1 in our Best Open-World Games verdict and No. 1 in Best Video Games of All Time.